Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You threw me off there; I've never done a written question before.
So my written question is about mental health supports for residents.
Mr. Speaker, our residents, including our children and youth, are facing unprecedented challenges in relation to addictions and health. We are seeing this in many forms including, unfortunately, attempts at self-harm and suicide.
I believe one of the best supports the government can provide is in-person professional support, from consistent providers, through addictions and mental health counsellors, child protection workers, and other first responders.
Mr. Speaker, Regular MLAs are hearing from constituents that many of these positions are vacant, and workers from one community are covering other communities.
Given this, I ask the Minister to provide the number of addictions and mental health counsellors, child protection workers, and family support worker positions in each community, and whether each of these positions is filled immediately -- sorry, I can't speak today, Mr. Speaker. Whether these positions are filled indeterminately.
Further, I also ask the Minister:
- What is the staff turnover rates for each of these positions in each community;
- How many staff are covering vacancies in other communities and/or regions;
- What is the rate of people presenting as suicidal or self-harming by health centre and hospital; and
- How many of those people presenting as suicidal or self-harming are brought in by police or other first responders?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.